The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Premieres with New Mysteries and Music

Key points

• Season 3 premiered on October 2, 2026, on Crunchyroll.
• The first episode introduces a locust plague and a mysterious woman offering a cure.
• Maomao has left the palace to live in the Pleasure District with Chou-u.
• Jinshi is now the Imperial Younger Brother and faces new political pressures.
• The opening theme is 'Kumo o Nuke Kazashimo e Watashi dake' by Yorushika.
• The ending theme is 'AIYOU' by Eve.

Background

The Apothecary Diaries is based on the light novel series by Hyuga Natsu and illustrated by Touko Shino. Previous seasons have been well-received for their mystery and palace intrigue. Crunchyroll announced the fall 2026 lineup in September, including this season.

How outlets are covering it

Anime News Network focuses on the narrative developments, highlighting the return of Maomao and Jinshi to their new lives and the setup for the locust plague arc. Critics noted the strong transition from the previous season and the high stakes of the new plot. AnimeMojo emphasizes the technical and musical aspects, detailing the creditless opening and ending, the new themes by Yorushika and Eve, and the production details, including the animation studio OLM and the release schedule for the second cour and the upcoming film.

Why it matters

The Apothecary Diaries is a popular anime series, and its third season is a significant release for fans of the genre. The introduction of new arcs and characters, along with high-quality music and animation, ensures continued interest and engagement from the audience.

What to watch

The second cour of Season 3 is scheduled for April 2027. A film with an original story by Hyuga Natsu will premiere in Japan on December 11, 2026. Fans can expect more mysteries and political intrigue in the upcoming episodes.